https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:01:57 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1686837 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 18:49:32 +0000 nana87 1686837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Seattlemom: sorry you're dealt with this too! the LC suggested I switch back and forth with the shield and bare skin--it turns out LO will actually latch without it (I was off on my positioning so I wasn't getting it right before), but because my flow is slow she gets frustrated and pulls off screaming. so, I use the shield sometimes so that she doesn't get frustrated with the breast altogether--it has a pacifying effect on her. but, I've been able to nurse without it for parts of the time, so it's a work in progress! also, she gave me an SNS (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Starter-Supplemental-Nursing-System-Bottle/dp/B001G87KYE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1402184615&#038;sr=8-2&#038;keywords=medela+starter+sns" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Starter-Supplemental-Nursing-System-Bottle/dp/B001G87KYE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1402184615&#038;sr=8-2&#038;keywords=medela+starter+sns</a>) to use--it gives baby breastmilk via a little tube that you tape to your breast, so it speeds up the flow--it's a serious pain in the butt to use (and clean!) but it helps make the breast less frustrating for lo (theoretically, once the set up is right, which takes work)</p> <p>@Mae: ugh so sorry you had this too! you're so smart to have gotten help so early though. I thought LO was just normal cluster-feeding, I keep thinking about how I should have gotten help sooner, which doesn't help with the guilt...And yes, our whole lives are totally revolving around feeding her! today was SO much easier since dh wasn't working. he works from home so I sometimes can get help from him during the weekdays, but mostly I'm on my own during the day and it's so hard! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1686619 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 13:57:35 +0000 Mae 1686619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Same exact thing just happened to me! My LO was crying inconsolably all the time and wasn't gaining weight and I went to a LC at 3 weeks and found out that I have low supply and even though she was nursing for an hour+ every 2nd or 3rd hour she just wasn't getting enough so she was hungry all the time. I hate that she was basically just hungry for 2 weeks and that is why she was so angry all the time :( </p> <p>And I feel you with the schedule. I BF her (I was told no more than 20 min per side, so usually about 45 min total as I do a diaper change between sides), then I pump while my husband feeds her whatever I pumped last session, then we usually have to supplement with formula too. I feel like our whole lives revolve around feeding her, pumping, preparing bottles, and washing pump parts and bottles. I really hope I can get my supply up and just get back to EBF her soon! And I hope you can get your issues worked out soon too!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1686583 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 13:03:44 +0000 lady grey 1686583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: Hi there. I have been following this, but haven't posted yet. I had a low supply with my LO and I know how stressful it is and how you can feel so guilty. Just keeping doing your very best, thats all you can do! </p> <p>Would you share about the LC tips on getting off the nipple shield? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1686318 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 07:00:46 +0000 nana87 1686318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry for the slow reply! The new nursing/pumping/supplementing regime makes it hard to type! </p> <p>@Kemma: I do hope the height growth means things weren't totally terrible! The Lc just wasn't very warm and fuzzy, she was very business-like so didn't say anything about the positives, just what I should be doing now. She did have tips for getting off the shield which are working a bit now! We went totally off but she will nurse without it so that's an improvement.</p> <p>@Anagram: I'm sorry you had latch issues to deal with to, but it's so nice not to feel alone! Thanks for sharing your experience, and you're right, in the long run as long as she's healthy and growing all is well.</p> <p>@prettylizy: you're giving me so much hope! So glad your lo is gaing weight!</p> <p>@LovelyPlum: :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1683462 Thu, 05 Jun 2014 21:20:20 +0000 LovelyPlum 1683462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: just wanted to send you some :heart: You are doing a great job, and R is lucky to have you as a mama. I hope that the LC was helpful today. Thinking of you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1682773 Thu, 05 Jun 2014 18:49:42 +0000 prettylizy 1682773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: Oh mama, I was right there with you a few weeks ago. I nursed and nursed and nursed, and she would just fall asleep on the boob, and not gain much at all. Everything felt totally fine but apparently wasn't. For me, a week of super pumping + fenugreek + blessed thistle and now I'm EPing during the day and nursing at night with a ton of success. She takes a 4oz bottle every three hours and wakes 1-2 times at night to nurse. All of this and she is FINALLY gaining weight. </p> <p>I know exactly what you mean when you say you feel like a failure, but you're not, you're doing amazing and this too shall pass. Hugs mama! PM me if you want to chat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1682716 Thu, 05 Jun 2014 18:38:40 +0000 Anagram 1682716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: I've been there. Sort of. I never had supply issues only because I knew the first time I put LO to the breast that her latch wasn't right so I started pumping immediately, which brought my milk in full force.</p> <p>But I've been through the frustration of having a baby that screamed at the breast, that couldn't latch correctly, that would get frustrated and stop rather than continue nursing even when hungry. I used a shield for 3 months, and pumped and bottle fed as well.</p> <p>Eventually I stopped trying to nurse and moved to exclusive pumping, but I was only able to do that because I'd been pumping from the beginning and had a massive supply.</p> <p>What no one talks about in BFing is that the first hours, days, and 2 weeks are CRITICAL to your supply. If the latch is off, your baby won't draw out enough milk, and your body will be signaled to make less milk. Once your supply is down, it's really hard to get it back up when you are also caring for a newborn (usually alone, when husbands have gone back to work).</p> <p>Just to say...You aren't alone. I'm sorry you're going through this--it's really, really hard. </p> <p>Just know that no matter what happens--at the end of the day, your job as a mom is to feed your baby and the how, or when or why really, really won't matter in the long run. </p> <p>Hang in there. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1682627 Thu, 05 Jun 2014 18:11:14 +0000 Kemma 1682627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: I'm not an expert but the fact that your LO has grown two inches and put on weight indicates that your supply doesn't suck too badly! And if she was reeeaally hungry, you would've known!</p> <p>Did the LC give you some advice for maybe weaning off the shield? You could possibly try latching without the shield when you know she's not majorly hungry perhaps? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1682093 Thu, 05 Jun 2014 14:50:19 +0000 nana87 1682093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: she was helpful, it's just that things are really bad, I feel like I've been failing and all the new info is really overwhelming. My supply sucks-- that's the main issue. She fusses when she's latched without the shield bc the flow is too slow, and the shield acts like a pacifier so she falls asleep on the boob without getting enough. I need to pump a ton and also supplement w formula until my supply picks up. My poor hungry girl :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1682007 Thu, 05 Jun 2014 14:26:43 +0000 Kemma 1682007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: what did your LC say?! That sux that she obviously wasn't that helpful :-( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1681774 Thu, 05 Jun 2014 13:37:54 +0000 nana87 1681774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: I'll definitely have to check that post out, thanks!</p> <p>@Callalily: sorry you're going through the same issues! I'm goading your lo is back to gaining weight!</p> <p>The Lc just left, and I'm feeling even worse and more defeated, if that's even possible. I've been doing everything wrong apparently :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1679593 Wed, 04 Jun 2014 21:58:47 +0000 Callalily 1679593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have had the exact same situation as you, with my baby nursing for hours sometimes but still seeming hungry, except the weight problems started at four months. My supply wasn't bad but she didn't seem to be able to get enough. I'm still using a shield as well and have had trouble weaning off it. I now nurse for 20 minutes or so and then pump after every feed, then give her what I pump by bottle. She's gaining weight again and the only problem is that it's a huge amount of work to both nurse and pump! I will try to wean off the shield again soon, but my poor flat nipples get sore whenever I do try. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1679577 Wed, 04 Jun 2014 21:48:00 +0000 PurplePeony 1679577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: Mrs. Chipmunk had a blog post yesterday about lactogenic foods -- the other ladies here have had good ideas and your LC probably will, as well, but it could be worth giving some of those foods a try in addition! It wasn't on the list there but someone mentioned avocado in the comments, and I've also found that eating avocado boosts both my supply and the amount of fat in my milk. I think once you figure out how to get your LO to transfer more efficiently, you'll be good to go! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1679281 Wed, 04 Jun 2014 19:22:52 +0000 nana87 1679281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: I hope so it is just the shield! </p> <p>@MamaMoose: it's so good to hear that the shield worked fine for you! I really didn't think it was an issue before, it seemed to be working so well. that's such a good idea to nurse topless to help stimulate my production!</p> <p>the thing that feels so heartbreaking to me about this is that I just started really loving nursing--it JUST stopped hurting recently. I kind of wanted to give up a couple weeks ago because my nipples were cracked and raw and really, really painful for a really long time, but they've finally healed. and, lo is becoming more interactive and clearly loves nursing. I love watching her starting to use her arms and hands, trying to grasp at my breast, and watching her whole little body relax as she's nursing...I just wish she was getting enough! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1678755 Wed, 04 Jun 2014 15:25:33 +0000 MamaMoose 1678755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: Honestly babies usually don't grow out and up at the same time. So to me, it sounds like your baby is growing OK. Though if she does seem hungry all the time and not satisfied that's more of a concern. I had to use a shield for the first four months of LO's life because of flat nipples but she was still successfully EBF so don't feel like the shield is a death sentence. Part of the issue with the shield is that you don't get the same amount of stimulation to encourage your body to produce milk, so try to nurse skin to skin with both you and baby topless as much as possible to help your body recognize the increased demand. I'm sure the LC will have lots of great tips for you too. You're doing great! Don't feel bad! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1678708 Wed, 04 Jun 2014 15:07:11 +0000 Kemma 1678708@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: sounds like you might just need a little help to get into your groove! Whilst your LO's weight gain is on the low side the fact that she's growing in length is a good sign, as are the wet and dirty diapers :-) it could just be a case of weaning from the shield and I'm sure the LC will help you with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1678379 Wed, 04 Jun 2014 13:16:13 +0000 nana87 1678379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1678358 Wed, 04 Jun 2014 13:12:01 +0000 Alivoo01 1678358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: In that case *hugs*. Hope tomorrow's LC session provides answers for you! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1678308 Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:59:45 +0000 nana87 1678308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: I'm trying that, with taking the shield off after she's latched on, but having trouble getting her to latch directly on me, she gets pissed off that the shield isn't there! I'm going to keep trying though</p> <p>@Anagram: this LC hasn't seen me yet, just talked on the phone. I think her latch is okay though, I worked with a different LC at the hospital at the beginning so I had an idea of what to look for, but who knows! I'm sooo glad she's coming tomorrow! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1678283 Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:51:38 +0000 Anagram 1678283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: Don't feel bad. I know that's easier said than done. But you have been doing the best you can and now you have an LC to help you. Pumping after feedings are a great way to boost your supply. I would just keep pumping after feedings to feed LO again with a bottle to top her off.</p> <p>Did the LC say everything with the latch is okay? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1678271 Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:49:05 +0000 Alivoo01 1678271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's not that you're not nourishing her well enough, she just falls asleep while nursing (totally normal); and the shield may be a lil obstacle. She took the bottle of pumped milk and napped better which means you ARE nourishing her well!! :) Could you maybe use the shield to get her to latch on, and once she does, take the shield off and nurse normally so she's not trying so hard to fight the shield for milk? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-not-gaining-enough-weight#post-1678223 Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:31:18 +0000 nana87 1678223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had our 2 month pediatrician appointment yesterday and found out lo hasn't been gaining enough weight :crying: She was born 5lbs 13 oz, was 6lbs 8 oz at her last visit when she was 3 weeks, and was only 7lbs 1 oz last night. Which means she's only gained like half a pound in 6 weeks :shocked: Even though we knew she was still tiny, she seems so much bigger to us--she's grown over 2 inches during that time (from 19.5 to 21.75 inches!) and she has more folds in her neck, arms, and thighs, but clearly it hasn't been enough. And she goes through a TON of diapers, so I thought she was doing fine...</p> <p>I've been nursing on demand, but she doesn't seem to be getting enough while she nurses even though she's constantly nursing. Like, she usually nurses for at least an hour (which the pediatrician said is definitely too long in the first place), and is often still hungry: she'll fall asleep on the boob, and then wake up shortly after and be hungry again. I thought that was just normal clusterfeeding: she's normally like that during the day, except with one long nap midday, and then at night she's been sleeping fantastically for like the 10 days or so. </p> <p>I have flat nipples so I've been using a shield, and the LC I spoke with yesterday (she's coming for a consult tomorrow) suggested that that is the problem: some babies have trouble getting enough milk through the shield, and then work so hard to get not enough that they fall asleep. So that sounds like exactly what could be happening. </p> <p>She told me to start pumping after feeds to help boost my supply and make sure baby is getting more milk--last night was the first time LO has ever taken a bottle, I'd only pumped once before when I was engorged and had frozen the milk. Luckily she had no problems with the bottle, and today seems to be going well with pumping after nursing and then giving her the bottle: she's napping better than before...</p> <p>Anyway, this is really long... I'm devastated that my body isn't nourishing her well enough and worried about her. My poor hungry girl! </p>